Page 3 of One Time Player

“Yes.”

“Okay, on my way.”

We end the call. I head over to Dad’s office. The door is open when I arrive, but I still give it a light knock, notifying him of my arrival, since he is looking at his computer screen.

He stands and graces me with one of his wide smiles. We hug and then he tells me to take a seat.

“How are you?” he asks, looking concerned.

“I’m great,” I return his wide smile, but mine doesn’t hold clout with Dad because he can read through my bullshit. He frowns.

“Patty, I’m your father, I know better.”

“I’m fine, Daddy. I’m glad to be working. I started early this morning and I’ve already treated a player,” I confide.

“Good. Who was it?” he asks.

“Evan.” I don’t elaborate because I don’t think Evan would appreciate me telling his coach he drank too much last night and feels like shit during playoff season.

“His arm acting up?” he asks.

“A little.” I nod.

Dad nods too. “Okay. I told you this before, but the guys were used to having male therapists. You’re a beautiful young lady. I’m going to send the message home that they be on their best behavior, but you keep your guard up too. I don’t want one of my players falling for my daughter.”

“You don’t need to worry, Daddy. You know I’m not interested in a relationship,” I assure him.

“Yes, well, I can speak for both your mom and me that we would like you to find the right man. I just don’t think this is the correct setting.” It makes me laugh inside that Daddy talks this way because he’s a former hockey player and my twin, Kevin, plays in the NHL.

“I know, Daddy. Don’t worry. I’m here to do my job.”

“Glad to have you aboard,” he says.

I smile. “Thank you.”

We end our talk with another hug. I head back to my office. Evan enters my mind, but I give my head a shake. I’m not barking up that tree. Evan Hayworth seems complicated.

CHAPTERONE

Evan

After hitting the gym at the arena, I head into the media room to meet with Coach and the team. Some of the guys are already sitting and waiting for Coach to arrive. I take a seat on the couch against the wall next to Kaleb and Brett. Liam sits on the far end of the next couch, leaving an open space. I nod to the guys. My body feels better than it did when I walked in here this morning, but how could it not? Patty has magic fingers. When she touched me, it felt like a zap of electricity entered my body. I feel bad for whistling at her because I know her. Met her many times before. It’s not like I didn’t notice her beauty. You’d have to be blind not to. But there was always a red line. She’s our coach’s daughter. There was a large figurative Do Not Trespass sign across her body. Yet, when I walked into the therapy rooms this morning, I didn’t know it was her. My eyes saw beauty and my body reacted. It was instinctual. She is hot AF. I squeeze my eyes shut briefly. My head is still foggy from my drinking last night, even if my muscles aren’t as achy as before. The way Patty worked my entire body made me buzz, which is saying something, because my head was all kinds of fucked after yesterday’s revelations.

“You good?” Kaleb leans forward and is staring directly at me. That causes Brett to look my way too.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I mutter since I don’t appreciate how intently they are both staring.

“What’s going on?” Liam asks from my other side.

Great, I’m surrounded. I love my friends. Don’t get me wrong, and I appreciate their concern, but I don’t exactly want to disclose what happened, it’s embarrassing.

“Look, I appreciate you guys, I just don’t want to talk about it,” I say with a clipped tone, but knowing my friends they won’t have a problem pushing into my personal business.

The moment of silence makes me believe they are going to respect my boundaries when Kaleb says, “Does this have to do with Evelyn? You were in a perfectly good mood when you got off the bus yesterday, and you said you were going to see her.”

I swear under my breath and watch Kaleb, who returns my glare with raised brows.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “Yes, it has to do with Evie.”

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